Citation

De Berardis D, Fornaro M, Anastasia A, Vellante F, Olivieri L, Rapini G, Serroni N, Orsolini L, Valchera A, Department of Mental HealthCarano A, Tomasetti C, Ventriglio A, Bustini M, Pompili M, Serafini G, Perna G, Iasevoli F, Martinotti G, di Giannantonio M. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. 2020; 42(3): 317-321.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Associacao Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

DOI

10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0690

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the cornerstone of treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, non-response is common, often necessitating combination strategies. The present study assessed the efficacy of vortioxetine as an add-on therapy in patients with SSRI-resistant MDD.

METHODS: The charts of 36 adult outpatients with DSM-IV-TR MDD who had not achieved a response after at least 8 weeks of treatment with an SSRI were reviewed retrospectively. Subjects were treated with vortioxetine (5-20 mg/day) for 8 weeks added to the current SSRI. The main outcome measures were change from baseline in total Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score and the rate of response (a 50% or greater reduction in HAM-D score and a Clinical Global Impression ‐ Improvement module [CGI-I] score of 1 or 2 at endpoint). HAM-D scores ≤ 7 were considered as remission. Additional outcome measures included the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI).

RESULTS: 32 patients completed the 8 weeks of treatment. At 8 weeks, a significant reduction in HAM-D score was observed (p ≤ 0.001), with response obtained by 41.7% and remission by 33.3% of patients. Significant reductions in SHAPS and SSI were also observed (p ≤ 0.001 for both scales).

CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive vortioxetine may be useful and well-tolerated in stage I treatment-resistant depression. However, the limitations of this study (such as small sample size, absence of randomization and control group, retrospective design, etc.) must be considered.

Language: en

Keywords

Augmentation; Chart study; Real world; retrospective; SSRI-resistant major depressive disorder; Vortioxetine